The United States government has assured Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic Agency the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, of more support and collaboration in different areas of its strategic operations.
This is to enhance Nigeria’s capabilities against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The assurance was given by Dr Mark Hove of the Africa and Middle East Office, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, US State Department when he led another top official of the Bureau, Craig Nixon on a courtesy visit to the Agency in Abuja Nigeria’s Capital.
The visit comes on the heels of a recent official letter by the Bureau announcing the US project grant to the NDLEA following requests by the Chief Executive NDLEA retired Gen. Buba Marwa during a series of meetings both in Abuja and in Washington DC.
The letter noted that the support grant which will be implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, covers the forensic and chemical analysis capacity of the Agency, intelligence-led investigations through diverse resources as well as legal books and an e-library for prosecution and other legal needs of the Agency.
Speaking during the visit, Mark Hove commended the tremendous work done so far by the Marwa-led NDLEA while expressing satisfaction with the response of the Agency to the threat of lethal illicit drugs.
He cited the recent seizure of over 2.1 tons of cocaine in Ikorodu area of Lagos by the NDLEA as an incredible feat.
The Chief Executive NDLEA, Gen. Marwa expressed appreciation to the INL for its support to the Agency and its readiness to do more.
He said, “such will significantly enhance the investigative and prosecutorial capabilities of NDLEA, especially coming at a time when the enabling Act of the Agency has been amended by the National Assembly to further strengthen its capacity.”
The NDLEA boss expressed happiness with the collaboration between NDLEA and the US Drug Enforcement Administration to combat the trafficking of illicit drugs between the US and Nigeria as well as globally.
He stressed that “there’s a need for greater collaboration on Fentanyl and others.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
